Published: Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 12:23 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 12:23 p.m.

For the first time since 1967 — and only the second time in the school's history — New College of Florida is throwing a presidential inauguration for its new leader Donal O'Shea, who started July 1.

The festivities include a Friday inauguration ceremony where O'Shea is expected to talk about his vision for the future as well as free lectures and panel discussions that lead up to an Inauguration Ball Saturday, where tickets cost $350 each.

“We're particularly thrilled we're introducing Donal O'Shea to the community and celebrating he's joining us. There's an objective to take it up a notch,” said Felice Schulaner, a 1981 New College graduate who is now the chair of the New College Foundation's board of directors. “This is a real opportunity for people to get a vision of him and his leadership and get excited about the next chapter of New College.”

On Friday, O'Shea is expected to receive the historic presidential medallion and then give a speech detailing his plan for New College's future. The inauguration ceremony, which runs from 3 to 4:30 p.m., will also feature the faculty and delegate procession in their academic robes as well music from a student A cappella group and the Riverview High School Kiltie Band.

“The hoods, the gowns and all that, there's a certain amount of dignity to it, a certain amount of formality,” said New College spokesman David Gulliver. “It should be a pretty special event to watch.”

The Inauguration Ball, the only event not open to the public, is a fundraiser to raise money for the college to pay for scholarships, operations and other needs. The event, paid for entirely by private and corporate sponsors, runs from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

“We're not spending tuition dollars or state funds or anything like that,” Gulliver said on paying for the ball.

For more information on inauguration events, including times for the lectures and panel discussions, visit the New College web site.

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - It's a party that doesn't happen very often here. </p><p>For the first time since 1967 — and only the second time in the school's history — New College of Florida is throwing a presidential inauguration for its new leader Donal O'Shea, who started July 1.</p><p>The festivities include a Friday inauguration ceremony where O'Shea is expected to talk about his vision for the future as well as free lectures and panel discussions that lead up to an Inauguration Ball Saturday, where tickets cost $350 each.</p><p>“We're particularly thrilled we're introducing Donal O'Shea to the community and celebrating he's joining us. There's an objective to take it up a notch,” said Felice Schulaner, a 1981 New College graduate who is now the chair of the New College Foundation's board of directors. “This is a real opportunity for people to get a vision of him and his leadership and get excited about the next chapter of New College.”</p><p>On Friday, O'Shea is expected to receive the historic presidential medallion and then give a speech detailing his plan for New College's future. The inauguration ceremony, which runs from 3 to 4:30 p.m., will also feature the faculty and delegate procession in their academic robes as well music from a student A cappella group and the Riverview High School Kiltie Band.</p><p>“The hoods, the gowns and all that, there's a certain amount of dignity to it, a certain amount of formality,” said New College spokesman David Gulliver. “It should be a pretty special event to watch.”</p><p>The Inauguration Ball, the only event not open to the public, is a fundraiser to raise money for the college to pay for scholarships, operations and other needs. The event, paid for entirely by private and corporate sponsors, runs from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.</p><p>“We're not spending tuition dollars or state funds or anything like that,” Gulliver said on paying for the ball.</p><p>For more information on inauguration events, including times for the lectures and panel discussions, visit the <a href="http://www.ncf.edu" target="_blank"><b>New College web site</b></a>.</p>